Batavia sees its share of serious collisions involving drivers who run yellow or red lights. These crashes occur in seconds, often without warning, and can result in catastrophic and fatal injuries. The driver may have sped up to “beat the light,” misjudged the timing, or simply ignored traffic signals. However, these car accidents are almost always preventable.
Causes of Intersection Crashes in Illinois
Thousands of intersection-related collisions occur in Illinois every year. Several factors contribute to these types of preventable crashes:
- Speeding – Drivers who approach a yellow light at high speed often choose to accelerate rather than slow down. This reduces their reaction time and increases the force of impact if an accident occurs.
- Distracted Driving – Texting, navigation devices, and other distractions cause drivers to miss light changes or brake too late to avoid entering on red.
- Misjudging Gaps and Timing – Some drivers assume they have enough time to make it through a yellow light, but miscalculations can lead to T-bone collisions with drivers proceeding through the intersection.
- Aggressive Driving – Drivers who feel rushed may intentionally run a red light or follow another vehicle through a late signal.
- Impaired Driving – Alcohol or drug impairment slows reaction time and affects judgment. Intoxicated driving makes drivers more likely to run red lights or fail to yield the right-of-way.
- Poor Weather or Visibility – Rain, snow, or glare may make signals harder to see.
In many cases, intersection crashes might have more than one cause. Determining the contributing factors can help identify who is liable for the collision.
Why Are Yellow and Red Light Crashes So Dangerous?
Intersection crashes involving yellow or red lights are especially hazardous for several reasons:
- Side-Impact Collisions – Running a red light often results in a T-bone crash. The sides of vehicles provide far less protection than the front or rear, meaning victims in the struck vehicle absorb more of the impact.
- High-Speed Impacts – Drivers who run lights are often trying to beat the signal and enter the intersection at higher speeds. Even a few extra miles per hour dramatically increases crash severity.
- Multiple Vehicles Involved – Once a driver runs a red light, they may collide with more than one vehicle or cause a chain-reaction crash involving cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Limited Time to React – Drivers proceeding on a green light typically don’t expect a vehicle to enter the intersection illegally, giving them little or no time to brake or swerve.
These crashes frequently lead to severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and long-term disabilities.
Who Is Liable for an Intersection Crash?
Liability for a Batavia intersection crash depends on the circumstances but often includes one or more of the following parties:
The Driver Who Ran the Light
In most cases, the driver who entered the intersection on red or too late on yellow is at fault. Violating a traffic signal is strong evidence of negligence under Illinois law.
A Distracted or Impaired Driver
If texting, impairment, or reckless behavior contributed to the crash, that driver is typically responsible for the resulting damages.
Multiple Drivers
Illinois’ modified comparative fault law allows fault to be shared. For example, one driver may have run the red light while another was speeding through the intersection.
An experienced Batavia car accident lawyer can investigate the crash and determine exactly who caused the accident and bears responsibility for your injuries.
Contact an Experienced Batavia Car Accident Lawyer for Help After an Intersection Accident
Yellow and red light crashes in Batavia are among the most dangerous and preventable roadway incidents.
If you or a loved one were injured in an intersection crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. A knowledgeable Batavia car accident lawyer can protect your rights and help you seek the full recovery you deserve. Call Feagans Law Group to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights.